Debutante Clothing

Vintage Style | 1950s Glamour Meets Modern Edge

2011-06-08T07:00:00Z

I LOVE this entire look. A very chic 1950s flair with just the right amount of modern edge. Let's start from the top shall we? The cap - can't tell if this is a knit cap or a beret. But I love it. Classic in the vintage sense, but whimsical and nostalgic by modern standards. The clutch - nice and large to carry all my modern day junk, but a perfect leopard print.

But the watch has to be my fave piece in this whole outfit. I absolutely love clear Lucite and resin accessories, to wear and for home. I have a ton of crystal clear plastic baubles and bangles, but never a watch. I quickly went on the hunt for a cute watch just like this. I ended up buying an Anne Klein version with a white face and rhinestones on the bezel. I looked at some more expensive watches from Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, but ironically this $55 beauty stole my heart. I have received so many compliments too! It's classy and quirky and I love it.

New in the SHOP!

2011-05-31T14:04:07Z

I wanted to share with you two new dresses in the shop. The shop has been sort of quiet most of this year, but that's about to change. I have so many exciting things I want to share with you and I am bursting. For now, here are two lovely dresses to cheer up your Tuesday after a three day weekend.

Please Vote for Debutante Clothing!

2011-05-31T13:59:36Z

The annual Lulu's Vintage People's Choice Top 10 Vintage Clothing Website Awards is ending today! Anne of Lulu's Vintage is an amazing gal with a fab vintage blog and store. Every year she asks for your vote for your favorite vintage website. I am so honored and flattered to be one of the many amazing sites nominated. I would love it if you could stop by and vote, if you haven't already. I'll love you forever! If you have, let me know!!

Vintage Links | The Week in Vintage

2011-05-27T07:00:00Z

Gorgeous pictures of vintage finds at Brimfield vintage show - Design Sponge

Vintage fashion predictions from Sammy Davis Vintage - Sammy D Vintage

Vintage Textile show at Pickwick Gardens this weekend - NBC Los Angeles

Guide to thrifting, marathon style - Goodwill NY NJ

LACMA's Costume Council and Cameron Silver honor Judith Leiber - All the Rage/LA Times

picture: neimanmarcus.com

Vintage Style | Lucite Heels

2011-05-24T07:00:00Z

Racked LA recently wrote a blog post about Lucite heels "that won't make you look like a pole dancer". Lucite or resin heels were huge in the 1950s, especially mules, or Springolators. And the ladies who wore them were no dames of ill repute. Rhinestones and feminine etchings decorate the crystal clear heels.

I love Lucite heels because they're like walking on jewelry. When you think about your shoes and how they look when you cross your legs, most people think of the vamp, but what about the heel? They deserve attention too.

I remember seeing Marilyn Monroe wear a killer pair of Lucite heels during the modeling scene in How to Marry a Milionaire. I think I read somewhere that she loved to wear the clear wedges because she was so petite. As a shortie with feet that can't take much in terms of stilettos, I love this solution. A solid platform with very little visual footprint! Instant optical illusion of height!

There are plenty of amazing vintage Lucite heels on Ebay right now. Whether you are looking for Lucite with some bling, or simply a boost in your height, vintage will ensure you are not offered single dollar bills to do the splits.

green lucite heels - Ebay

Marilyn Monroe image via Champagne and Chips

disclaimer - I am an Ebay affiliate.

Vintage Style | Vintage Print Goes Matchy With Modern

2011-05-19T14:06:16Z

Sally's blog, Already Pretty, is a daily read for me. I love her real girl style and she mixes modern, vintage and second hand to perfection. Oh and she's really smart too.This outfit especially caught my eye because it is so seamlessly modern looking and her matching - exactly matching - accessories are amazing. How is is that something designed over 40 years ago can match modern boots and bag so perfectly.

I am totally in the matchy match camp. I know that it's an old fashioned way to dress, but I wear old clothes for goodness sake. Matchy match can look boring, but this outfit is very much the opposite of boring. It's fresh, it's youthful and tons of fun with all that color. And this print looks very modern boutique. Thanks for the inspiration Sallly!

Vintage Decor | Regency Baby

2011-05-18T14:15:28Z

When you are in your mid 30-somethings, rights of passage like home ownership and babies are the center of conversation, or at least your thoughts. I know it has been for me, at least the home purchase part after many failed home purchase attempts over the last 8 months. But now, thanks to House of Honey's new blog, I've got baby on the brain too. Well baby furniture anyway. If I had a kid, this would be my furniture of choice. Who needs Winnie and Mickey or Noah's Ark like animals when you can have chic and bold? Contrast is good for their little eyeballs right?

If you aren't familiar with House of Honey, stylist and designer Tamara Kaye-Honey is a vintage and modern home style genius. She mixes vintage pieces with modern touches, revives retro relics into stunning home furnishings. Her showroom and shop is an absolutely inspiring space. You have to come to South Pasadena and marvel at her work. I am so excited that she blogging. Now I can get regular fixes of vintage modern home design.

Debutante Clothing Needs Your Vote!

2011-05-10T03:41:45Z

The annual Lulu's Vintage People's Choice Top 10 Vintage Clothing Website Awards is here! Anne of Lulu's Vintage is an amazing gal with a fab vintage blog and store. Every year she asks for your vote for your favorite vintage website. I am so honored and flattered to be one of the many amazing sites nominated. I would love it if you could stop by and vote. I'll love you forever!

Vintage Style | Nicole Richie in 1940s Gown at Met Gala

2011-05-04T13:47:09Z

Nicole Richie has become one of my favorite style icons in the last three years. Her choice of gown for the Met Gala now puts her on my top 5 list. I'm not sure who this dress was designed by, it could just another example of anonymous vintage that can upstage any contemporary design.

In true Nicole form, her sexy arm cutouts seem to be studded in either rhinestones or metal studs, can't tell from this image. Glamour and edge all in one dress. I think she nailed it!

image: Getty Images

Vintage Trends | The 1930s and 1970s Parallel

2011-05-04T07:00:00Z

This spring, the 1970s will be a huge trend, but not kitschy, disco or , gasp, double knit poly leisure suits. Instead luxury, glamour and femininity will be the vintage look of choice. Basically, good 70s.

And as a bit of fashion history, the 1970s looks were really a revival of the 1930s. When there are parallels in the economy and society, it always reflects on fashion.

Some of the key details of the 1930s that we see again in the 1970s are:

satin

ruffles

feminine colors

bias cuts

1930 satin convertible dress

1970s satin halter

1930s sheer striped dress 1970s striped sheer dress

The film Water for Elephants will definitely help continue the love affair with all things slinky and 1930s by way of 1970s. It's much easier to find great looks from the 1970s that give a nod to the 30s.

Vintage Style | Kate Middleton Channels Princess Grace in Alexander McQueen

2011-04-29T17:04:34Z

As soon as I woke up this morning, I checked my Twitter feed to see what Kate finally chose. A shout of glee that it was Alexander McQueen. I have to be honest and was hoping she would have chosen something a bit more edgy considering it is McQueen, but in true princess form and a total champion for the classic, her lace covered bodice dress was spectacular. I immediately thought how much she reminded me of Grace Kelly on her wedding day.

I know there are so many tragedies going on in the world, but a prince and a duchess on their wedding day, in McQueen, is the perfect escape.

Blessings to the bride and groom.

Vintage Inspiration | Bohemian Raquel Welch

2011-04-20T15:46:00Z

If someone could guarantee that I would look like THIS in 70s boho style clothing, I'd be all over it.

via My Daily Magazine About Everything

Vintage Sale | Zuburbia Vintage Luxury Bag Pop Up Sale

2011-04-18T13:50:46Z

Zuburbia.com is known for their amazing daily vintage finds with their Vintage Pick of the Day and their weekly Ebay Roundup featured on HuffingtonPost.com. Well the vintage archives have been opened at Zuburbia and a collection of amazing luxury vintage handbags are for sale at Ann's Fabulous Finds.

The sale features vintage Gucci, Carlos Falchi, and Judith Leiber paired up with their contemporary version. Check them out now before they're gone!

Debutante Clothing Mentioned on CBS Local

2011-04-12T14:24:13Z

photo: Kim Kuhteubl

I know it's been a bit quiet around here, but with participating in A Current Affair and then my computer getting sick, I have been a bit disconnected. But from my wee little Acer netbook I wanted to share a bit of exciting news.

First, A Current Affair was a huge success and I had a ton of fun. More on that later this week as soon as I can retrieve my pictures. But I wanted to share the delightful mention on CBS Local's website. Several of the vintage vendors at the show were mentioned, but trust me, there were many more with insane collections of vintage. Check out CBS's review of the event.

Hopefully I'll be back, with a fully functioning Macbook tomorrow.

Luxury Legwear from Italy at Coccolare Boutique

2011-04-06T15:53:03Z

photo by Sandra Mendoza-Daly

I love Italy. I love Italian design. So when Coccolare Boutique contacted me about reviewing their luxury leg wear from Italy, I was thrilled. I chose three types of legwear: a basic black tight, a very on trend crochet lace pattern, and a super sexy back seam.

I know you might be thinking what's wrong with Target tights. They're cheap. Well you know the adage you get what you pay for? Yeah, it applies to leg wear too. As soon as I put on the blacker than black Cortina opaque tights, you could tell these were not going to snag upon sight. They are so opaque and so velvety soft. They were the perfect hosiery to make my sparkly vintage kitten heels pop. I wore them to the Two Point Oh LA Fashion Week pre-party and made Marie Denee, the Curvy Fashionista feel my legs. "Ooh soft!"

The Joriki back seamed nylons were equally as soft and a very similar strength without being tight, binding or heavy. The problem with back seamed hosiery is trying to keep the seams straight. When you have short, think legs like mine, the seams tend to curve and move around so you need a seam watchdog (aka best friend) to tell you when your seams have gone awry. Well I was thrilled to see that these seams stayed put! And I know it wasn't a size issue as I received the equivalent size of what I normally by at Target. I swear I think it's the quality of construction.

I haven't had a chance to wear the lace crochet sweater tights, but I can tell you that just trying them on they feel soft and warm without heaviness. The perfect lacy tight.

You can find Coccolare Boutique at their online shop and on Facebook. Seriously, invest in some quality hosiery. Coccolare has proven to me that just like luxury bags, you get what you pay for when it comes to legwear.